Genealogy Gems: News from the Fort Wayne Library, No. 57, November 30, 2008
From: Genealogy Gems (genealogygemsgenealogycenter.info)
Date: Sun, 30 Nov 2008 16:21:36 -0800 (PST)
Genealogy Gems:  News from the Fort Wayne Library
No. 57, November 30, 2008

In this issue:
*Giving Gifts that Last
*Family Maps
*The Draper Manuscript Collection
*Preservation Tip of the Month-- Care and Storage of Textiles
*WinterTech 2008-2009 Continues
*Mark Your Calendars Early for March Madness!
*Librarians on Parade
*Area Calendar of Events
*Driving Directions to the Library
*Parking at the Library
*Queries for the Department

***************************************
Giving Gifts that Last
by Curt B. Witcher
***************************************
Instead of the commercial "Black Friday" this past November 28th, I
hope many of you participated in what I have been calling "Bright
Friday"--StoryCorps' first annual "National Day of Listening."  We
have reported on StoryCorps a number of times over the months in this
ezine.  It is a great, national, grass-roots project to record the
stories of our lives.  There are some fantastic clips available on the
StoryCorp website <http://www.storycorps.net/>.  In addition, all
StoryCorps interviews are being archived at the Library of Congress'
American Folklife Center, making these special memories and
extraordinary stories available for generations of future family
historians and descendants of loved ones.

Last Friday, StoryCorps brought even more attention to the remarkable
act of listening by declaring a "National Day of Listening."
StoryCorps appealed to all of us on their NationalDayOfListening.org
website: "This holiday season, ask the people around you about their
lives--it could be your grandmother, a teacher, or someone from the
neighborhood. By listening to their stories, you will be telling them
that they matter and they won't ever be forgotten. It may be the most
meaningful time you spend this year."  I could not have said it
better, nor could I agree more.  If you missed your opportunity to
turn "Black Friday" into "Bright Friday" on November 28th, commit to
spending at least one day this holiday season listening to the stories
of family members and recording those stories.  As the book by
StoryCorps of the same title says, listening *is* an act of love--and
a great way to ensure that precious pieces of your family history are
around for your children's children.

If you're looking for an affordable yet valuable gift for your
genealogy friends in addition to sharing stories, I recommend to you a
new title published in the second half of this year by FamilyLink.com,
Inc. entitled, "Google Your Family Tree:  Unlock the Hidden Power of
Google."  It is written by Daniel Lynch, a marketing and technology
consultant who has also been an active genealogist since the late
1970s.  He combined his familiarity with genealogy and his comfort
with contemporary technology--and Google in particular--to craft this
work.  In fourteen chapters and five appendices, Dan does a remarkable
job clearly detailing how to more effectively use Google to get the
results you want when searching the Internet.  I am particularly fond
of one of the slogans on his webpage:  "Spend less time
searching--more time evaluating results."  This recent work helps one
accomplish that.

Though the entire work is well-done and most worthwhile, I am
particularly appreciative of chapters three, five, and fourteen on
advanced search techniques, Google Books, and other tips and tricks
respectively.  When discussing Google commands in the advanced search
techniques chapter, Dan not only defines the command, clearly
indicates how it is applied, and provides a screen-shot of the
application, he further comments under each command about its "special
relevance to genealogists."  One can't ask for more than that.  In the
chapter on Google Books, Dan not only gives clear advice on searching
and navigating this resource, he also articulates some shortcomings
that he hopes will be corrected in the future.  And with tips and
tricks, I just enjoy reading and playing with that great category of
"other things" one can do with Google.

The pictures throughout the text are inviting and the plentiful
screen-shots ensure that even the most visual learners can use this
work to enhance techniques and success.  It is particularly worthy of
note that one can use this compilation as a workbook, opened to the
relevant section and right next to you as you're doing your
genealogy-related Google searching.  The book can be ordered online at
www.GoogleYourFamilyTree.com.  Those who receive this book as a
holiday gift will not only be smiling at Christmas time, but
throughout the year as well.

***************************************
Family Maps
by Melissa Shimkus
***************************************
Searching for land patents issued by the United States government is
easy thanks to the General Land Office of the Bureau of Land
Management website (http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/). An additional
valuable source is the series of books produced by Arphax Publishing
and Gregory Alan Boyd titled "Family Maps of…" Each volume in this
ongoing series focuses on an individual county. Although not yet
complete, the series already features 363 titles for the following
states: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,
Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio,
Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin. All are available in the
Genealogy Center.

Each book begins with a useful introduction and general maps showing
the county's location within the state and in the context of
neighboring counties, as well as maps depicting townships, cities and
towns, and cemeteries. A general surname index leads you to a "map
group" for the township of interest, where you will find details on
each land patent in that township as well a map outlining the location
of each patent. Once you locate your ancestor on the patent map, it is
easy to see which individuals obtained patents on neighboring parcels
of land. The map group for each township also includes a road map and
an historical map showing waterways, cemeteries, and railroads.

The surname/township index in "Family Maps of Holmes County, Florida"
(call number 975.901 H73BO), for example, references two parcels of
land for the Moore family in Township 4-N Range 14-W or map group 22.
The index to land patents in the section for map group 22 provides
details. Elizabeth and John E. Moore had a patent issued on February
21, 1893 for the southwest quarter of section 10, with a portion
located in Washington County. The patent map shows that the property
of Elizabeth and John is bounded to the north by that of George W.
Moore, who received his land patent on the same date. Based on the
information gleaned from this book, we now have a specific location
for the family's land, another individual to research, and a legal
description to extend our property records search.

The "Family Maps" series by Gregory Alan Boyd is an excellent source
for land patents in the United States. It provides easy to use indexes
and visuals that make researching land patents simple. Genealogists
will garner valuable family property information as well as leads for
additional research.

***************************************
The Draper Manuscript Collection
by Steven W. Myers
***************************************
The State Historical Society of Wisconsin's Draper Manuscript
Collection is a unique research source that should interest many
American family historians. Assembled by Lyman Copeland Draper, the
manuscripts focus on the history of the so-called "Trans-Allegheny
West" in the period between the French and Indian War and the War of
1812 (ca. 1755-1815). Although Draper's many intended publishing
projects never materialized, he succeeded in gathering a massive
amount of source material for future historians through his extensive
interviewing and collecting. The results provide an equally important
source for genealogists with links to early settlers in the entire
Ohio River valley, as well as in the western Carolinas and Virginia,
portions of Georgia and Alabama, and parts of the Mississippi River
valley.

The manuscripts are largely Draper's research notes and
correspondence, but also contain an assortment of legal documents,
maps, diaries, family and personal records, business records, land
records, court martial lists, muster rolls, order books, and extracts
from newspapers and other publications. Draper's notes and collected
documents are especially rich on the Revolutionary War and the War of
1812, as well as on Indian conflicts in the intervening period.
Organized into 491 volumes in 50 series, the complete collection is
also available on microfilm in 100 American research libraries
including the Genealogy Center.

Using this valuable resource does take some investment of time, since
there is no complete index, but Josephine Harper's detailed "Guide to
the Draper Manuscripts" (call number 016.978 H23g) provides a good
starting point. In addition to detailed descriptions of each
manuscript volume's contents and a general index, useful appendices
include an index to Revolutionary War pension applicants, an index to
the names of authors, cartographers, correspondents and interviewees,
and an extensive inventory of maps present in the collection.
Separate, detailed calendars of each document in several series of the
Draper Manuscripts have also been published, providing researchers
with other useful indexes to at least portions of the collection.
Those in print can be found on the Genealogy Center's microtext guides
shelves, while calendars for series J, U, CC, DD, QQ, SS, TT, UU, VV,
XX, and ZZ are all available on microfiche in cabinet F-4. Several
documentary volumes based on the Draper Manuscripts should also prove
useful to researchers and can be identified in the online catalog
under the names of the respective authors: Reuben Gold Thwaites,
Louise Phelps Kellogg and Jared C. Lobdell. In addition, Karen Green
has produced "Index to the Draper Manuscripts: Series NN, The
Pittsburgh and Northwest Virginia Papers" (call number 973 D79c). For
those who find it difficult to use microfilm, the Genealogy Center
also has a printout of the entire Draper Manuscript Collection in
bound volumes at call number 973 D79.

One example should suffice to prove the unique value of this important
collection. The index to Draper's interviewees in the appendix to
Harper's "Guide" references several individuals named Sprott in volume
19 of Series S, Draper's Notes. Draper had interviewed the children of
Scots-Irishman John Sprott and provides biographical details as
background for his interview notes. In these he writes that John was
"born in Co. Down on January 2d 1760" and that his "father Thomas
Sprott migrated to Pennsylvania in 1763." Both of these facts have not
been found documented in any other source. Perhaps you can solve your
own research problem using the Draper Manuscript Collection.

***************************************
Preservation Tip of the Month--Care and Storage of Textiles
by Becky Schipper
***************************************
Textiles we value come in many different forms--wedding dresses,
baptismal gowns, military uniforms, quilts, and samplers are a few
that come to mind. Textiles should be stored in a stable environment.
They should be protected from extremes of heat and humidity. They
should not be exposed to light. If at all possible, textiles should be
cleaned before storing. Sturdy colorfast items can be hand washed with
mild detergent. Allow them to air dry. If there is doubt regarding the
content of the fibers or if the item is fragile, consult a conservator
rather than cleaning it yourself.

Storage of the textile depends on the size and strength of the item.
*Flat storage is appropriate for small items. Items should be placed
in acid free-boxes.
*Rolled storage is for items that are too large to be stored flat.
Roll the item carefully, using acid-free tissue to support the folds
and layers. Wrap with muslin and tie with acid-free string at the top,
bottom, and middle sections of the roll.
*Hanging storage is not recommended, but if you must hang an item
always use a padded hanger and wrap muslin around it to protect it
from light and dust. Do not use plastic garment bags as they can
decompose over time and harm the item stored inside.

***************************************
WinterTech 2008-2009 Continues
by Melissa Shimkus and Delia Bourne
***************************************
Remember, our WinterTech series continues on December 10th at 2:30
p.m. with Melissa Shimkus and "Searching Ancestry.com." Melissa will
demonstrate the use of this extremely popular database. Join her in
Meeting Room A to learn how to improve your search strategies. Then on
January 14, 2009, Cynthia Theusch will offer a "WeRelate.org
Overview," and finally, Don Litzer will remind you that online
genealogical searching is "Not Just Ancestry" on February 11. Keep
track of the dates by checking
http://www.acpl.lib.in.us/genealogy/WinterTech.pdf . And remember that
these are scheduled in the afternoons of the Allen County Genealogical
Society of Indiana's monthly meetings, held at 7 p.m. Please call
260-421-1225 to register for a WinterTech program, or email your
registration to Genealogy [at] ACPL.info .

***************************************
Mark Your Calendars Early for March Madness!
by Melissa Shimkus and Delia Bourne
***************************************
We will have our third annual "March Madness, Genealogy Style" week of
programs March 1 through 7, 2007:
**Sun March 1 at 1:00 p.m. Melissa Shimkus presents "Southern Lore."
**Mon, March 2 at 2:00 p.m. Don Litzer demonstrates "Family Search Labs."
**Tues, March 3 at 10:00 a.m. Cynthia Theusch describes "Civilian
Conservation Corps, 1933-1942."
**Wed, March 4 from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. The Daughters of the American
Revolution provide Research Assistance for Membership.
**Thurs, March 5 at 2:00 p.m. John Beatty explains "Evaluating
Published Family Histories."
**Fri, March 6 at 10:00 a.m. Delia Bourne offers "Tech Time."
**Sat, March 7 at 10:00 a.m. Sara Patalita presents "Using Flickr to
Document Your Genealogy."
Keep an eye on our Special Programs website
http://www.acpl.lib.in.us/genealogy/programs.html for class
descriptions and registration information.

***************************************
Librarians on Parade
***************************************
Curt Witcher
February 29, 2009--Whittier Area Genealogical Society Seminar,
Greenleaf Masonic Temple, 7604 Greenleaf Avenue, Whittier, CA, 9 a.m.
to 4 p.m. "Doing Effective Genealogical Research in Libraries," "Using
Periodical Literature for Genealogical Research," "Pain in the Access:
Getting More from the Internet for Your Genealogy," and "All That
Other Stuff!: Other Census Records Beyond Federal Population
Schedules"

Steve Myers
December 10, 2008--Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana, Allen
County Public Library, 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne, IN, Meeting Room
C, 7 p.m.  Topic:  "The National Union Catalog of Manuscript
Collections"

Melissa Shimkus
December 10, 2008--Allen County Public Library, 900 Library Plaza,
Fort Wayne, IN, Meeting Room C, 2:30 p.m.  Topic:  "Searching
Ancestry.com"
January 10, 2009--Detroit Society for Genealogical Research, Christ
Church, Cranbrook, 470 Church Street, Bloomfield Hills, MI, 2 p.m.
Topic:  "Discovering Your Female Ancestors.

Cynthia Theusch
January 14, 2009--Allen County Public Library, 900 Library Plaza, Fort
Wayne, IN, Meeting Room A, 2:30 p. m.  Topic:  "A WeRelate.org
Overview"

***************************************
Area Calendar of Events
***************************************
Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana (ACGSI)

December 10, 2008 at 7 p.m. (social time begins at 6:30 p.m.) at the
Allen County Public Library's Main Library, 900 Library Plaza, Meeting
Room C.  Steve Myers will present "The National Union Catalog of
Manuscript Collections."

Allen County-Fort Wayne Historical Society, 302 East Berry, Ft. Wayne, IN

No December lecture.  The Festival of Gingerbread program--November
28-December 14, 2008.

***************************************
Driving Directions to the Library
***************************************
Wondering how to get to the library?  Our location is 900 Library
Plaza, Fort Wayne, Indiana, in the block bordered on the south by
Washington Boulevard, the west by Ewing Street, the north by Wayne
Street, and the east by the Library Plaza, formerly Webster Street.
We would enjoy having you visit the Genealogy Center.

To get directions from your exact location to 900 Library Plaza, Fort
Wayne, Indiana, visit this link at MapQuest:
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formtype=address&addtohistory=&address=900%20Webster%20St&city=Fort%20Wayne&state=IN&zipcode=46802%2d3602&country=US&geodiff=1

>From the South
Exit Interstate 69 at exit 102.  Drive east on Jefferson Boulevard
into downtown. Turn left on Ewing Street. The Library is one block
north, at Ewing Street and Washington Boulevard.

Using US 27:
US 27 turns into Lafayette Street. Drive north into downtown. Turn
left at Washington Boulevard and go five blocks. The Library will be
on the right.

>From the North
Exit Interstate 69 at exit 112.  Drive south on Coldwater Road, which
merges into Clinton Street.  Continue south on Clinton to Washington
Boulevard. Turn right on Washington and go three blocks. The Library
will be on the right.

>From the West
Using US 30:
Drive into town on US 30.  US 30 turns into Goshen Ave. which
dead-ends at West State Blvd.  Make an angled left turn onto West
State Blvd.  Turn right on Wells Street.  Go south on Wells to Wayne
Street.  Turn left on Wayne Street.  The Library will be in the second
block on the right.

Using US 24:
After crossing under Interstate 69, follow the same directions as from
the South.

>From the East
Follow US 30/then 930 into and through New Haven, under an overpass
into downtown Fort Wayne.  You will be on Washington Blvd. when you
get into downtown.  Library Plaza will be on the right.

***************************************
Parking at the Library
***************************************
At the Library, underground parking can be accessed from Wayne Street.
Other library parking lots are at Washington and Webster, and Wayne
and Webster. Hourly parking is $1 per hour with a $7 maximum. ACPL
library card holders may use their cards to validate the parking
ticket at the west end of the Great Hall of the Library. Out of county
residents may purchase a subscription card with proof of
identification and residence. The current fee for an Individual
Subscription Card is $70.

Public lots are located at the corner of Ewing and Wayne Streets ($1
each for the first two half-hours, $1 per hour after, with a $4 per
day maximum) and the corner of Jefferson Boulevard and Harrison Street
($3 per day).

Street (metered) parking on Ewing and Wayne Streets. On the street you
plug the meters 8am – 5pm, weekdays only.  It is free to park on the
street after 5pm and on the weekends.

Visitor center/Grand Wayne Center garage at Washington and Clinton
Streets. This is the Hilton Hotel parking lot that also serves as a
day parking garage.  For hourly parking, 7am – 11 pm, charges are .50
for the first 45 minutes, then $1.00 per hour.  There is a flat $2.00
fee between 5pm and 11pm.

***************************************
Genealogy Center Queries
***************************************
The Genealogy Center hopes you find this newsletter interesting.
Thank you for subscribing.  We cannot, however, answer personal
research emails written to the e-zine address.  The department houses
a Research Center that makes photocopies and conducts research for a
fee.

If you have a general question about our collection, or are interested
in the Research Center, please telephone the library and speak to a
librarian who will be glad to answer your general questions or send
you a research center form.  Our telephone number is 260-421-1225.  If
you'd like to email a general information question about the
department, please email: Genealogy [at] ACPL.Info.

***************************************
Publishing Note:
***************************************
This electronic newsletter is published by the Allen County Public
Library's Genealogy Center, and is intended to enlighten readers about
genealogical research methods as well as inform them about the vast
resources of the Allen County Public Library.  We welcome the wide
distribution of this newsletter and encourage readers to forward it to
their friends and societies.  All precautions have been made to avoid
errors.  However, the publisher does not assume any liability to any
party for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, no matter
the cause.

To subscribe to "Genealogy Gems," simply use your browser to go to the
website:  www.GenealogyCenter.Info. Scroll down toward the bottom of
the first screen where it says, "Enter Your Email Address to Subscribe
to "Genealogy Gems."  Enter your email address in the yellow box and
click on "Subscribe." You will be notified with a confirmation email.

If you do not want to receive this e-zine, please follow the link at
the very bottom of the issue of GenealogyGems you just received or
send an email to kspears [at] acpl.lib.in.us with "unsubscribe e-zine" in
the subject line.

Steve Myers & Curt Witcher, co-editors
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